Summer Entertaining: Hint, it's even easier than you think ;)
That looks amazing right? Like gorgeous food of the gods and goddesses? Eaten in the woods with nymphs around maybe? Maybe it’s dusk and fireflies are gathering—no mosquitos guys, this is a fantasy okay?
Yeah it IS an amazing dish and you can scroll down to see the recipe for this delicious platter from my book, Good Enough.
But also guys… guys, are you listening? Because some of you really need to hear this I know. This is just some cut up peaches and tomatoes on a plate. With some burrata (which is just fancy cheese) and mint. You can just play around until it looks pretty!
You could serve this with any of the seasons bounty. Just pile it on a plate and let the appreciation roll in. Take advantage of the slow and easy vibe of the summer to let your entertaining be super easy.
Here is a Checklist of Summer Foods to give the Star Treatment to:
✅ Sliced watermelon
✅ Corn with butter or full Elotes treatment
✅ Cucumbers, radishes or tomatoes with salt and olive oil
✅ Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with salt and pepper
✅ Stone fruits or berries and cream
Serve any of these with these for a fuller meal if you need it:
✅ Dips with cut veggies and chips (homemade or storebought is all good - I am currently obsessed with just plain Labne with tortilla chips)
✅ Bread and butter
✅ Hot dogs! Burgers! Other things you throw on the grill
Let it just be that easy. I promise everyone will be happy!
And this whole approach works for when you are alone too! Treat yourself to a plate piled high with summer beauty. It’s how we are meant to eat and it feels good to keep it simple.
I will be covering more about Cooking for Others in the final week of my upcoming 5 week online cooking course for beginning and anxious cooks. The waitlist is now open! It’s going to be so special to do this for the first time, so if any part of you is interested, get on the waitlist now because I am only taking a small group for this first offering!
Peach and Burrata Beauty
TL;DR: Arrange sliced peaches and tomatoes on platter with burrata, gently torn apart, nestled in center. Garnish with mint, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Serves 4 as an appetizer or side dish
4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large ball burrata
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Fresh mint or basil leaves
Cut each peach half into 6 to 8 slices. Artfully arrange them on a big platter. Scatter the cherry tomatoes among the peaches.
Gently rest the burrata in the middle of the platter and carefully pull it apart, letting the gooey center ooze out a bit. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of salt and pepper everywhere, and a scattering of a few mint or basil leaves.